Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-05

that the property which he owns is the only
desirable and proper site for the structure.
The final decision of the powers is looked
for with much interest.
This town boasts pa fire department
of which great things are expected; water
works, mule-cars-not hOrse-cars, street
lights, which burn all night whether the
moon shines or not, electric lights, etc; The
artesian wells which supply the city with
water are about onehalf mile from the busi-
ness portion of the city. They are seven IN
number. The largest of the seven was
driven something over 1900 feet. The water
which comes from these wells is very strong
ly impregnated with sulphur. The onlV
method of getting water for drinking pur-
poses is by catching rain water, as MANY do.
or BY means of artesian wells. The cost Of
these wells varies according to the depth.
The price for the first 100 feet is about s. 90
per foot, all over the FIRST 100. 81 90 per foot
| No charge unless water is obtained. There
is a good sewerage system extending to all
parts within the city limits. But for all that
many parts of the city are very damp and
considerably wet during the rainy season.
In fact. there are very few places in the
whole State that are entirely free from marshy
ground.
The politics Of this State are democratic,
not because the majority of the people are
such, but because the republicans have not
| life enough to assert themselves. There are
hundreds of republicans distributed through
out the State who have never voted since
they lived here. This apathy is to be strong
| ly condemned. The Leading democratic
paper in this State-The Times Union-de-
votes considerable of its valuable editorial
space to abuse of Hon James G. Blaine
| The popularity of all this abuse is that one
item will state that the aforesaid gentle
man is politically dead and buried,
while, perhaps, directly following will be a
paragraph abiding to his chances as presi
dental candidate. If, as they say, the gen
tleman is dead. his ghost causes them more
uneasiness than any man above ground, eth
er in politics or private life, in the country to-
day. They seem to have holy horror of
his strength.
John Sherman has been here, for the par
pose, it is said, of testing his strength and
fur:hering his chances as Presidential can
didate.
strong throughout this part Of the south to
day as it ever was, only not as openly ad-
vocated.
Grady, Of the Atlanta Constitution, IS
strong exponent of the doctrine. He is
looked upon as the strongest man, dem crati-
caly, that the south holds at the present
time, and great hopes are placed on him, as
through him the south will again come to the
front as power, and regain in a great meas
ure the prosperity she enjoyed before the
war. The city affairs are conducted by a
democratic ring called "Board of Trade -
The main political topic of discussion that is
now agitating the democratic mind all over
the State is who shall be G neral Jones' sue
cessor in the U. S. Senate" The leading
candidates at present are ex Gov. BloXham
and Gov. Perry, with two or three others
mentioned as likely to be dark horses.
Senator Jones is expected here, and rumor
says he will enter the arena as a contestant.
But the idea is laughed at by leading demo-
Gratis. Time alone will tell.
The business men of the city and State are
from all parts of the Union. There Ia
hardly a store keeper who is a native of
the south: and to this fact the CITY owes its
prosperity.
Not much can be said in regard to the
morals of this city, and perhaps the less said
the better. The State has license law with
a Sunday restriction, but this last feature is
dead letter, as the saloons run all night ana
day, seven days in the week throughout the
| year, without let or hindrance from the
proper authorities. There are several CANT >
ling houses, consisting of keno, roulette,
faro and poker layouts, all of
which are we'll patr )nized by the tourists
These places are open Sundays, and, in fact,
that is the best day for them. AS there is no
license law for such places in the State, the
| officers call around about once in six months.
arrest the proprietors. fine them 500, which
amounts virtually to license. and then per-
nit them to run another six months, without
being molested.
The winter season in Jacksonville has been
quite lively. There has not been week that
there has not been some entertainment at the
Opera House for two or more evenings. The
class of entertainments have been of very
high grade Many of Americas celebrated
actresses have appeared here, including Fam
ny Davenport, Maggie Mitchell, Madame
Janish, Lolita, and many others. We have
missed one celebrated American play-Uncl.
Toms Cabin. This is great city for mrsic
Scarcely day passes that you will not hear
the strains of a bras: band. This is always
attended by crowd of "coons," who seem to
heartily enjoy it.
There are many things talked of for add
tiOnal attractions another winter, in order TO
draw the 'lost tourist" back again to Florida's
sunny shores. Among these attractions will
be sub-tropical exposition, which is expect.
ed to rival the New Orleans Exposition IN
point of attractiveness, and it is hoped that il
will succeed better As far as Frances O., as
the New Orleans affair was a financial fail.
ure. Another much-talked-of project espec.
tally among sporting men, is race track |,
is very doubtful if this last can be made q
success. as it seems next to impossible to ge,
a good firm track, for there is no such thing
as sOil-nothing but sand, white sanA. dirty
sand, and all the different degrees of sand
One other attraction for next winter will be 9
shelf road, which is now being constructed
This will supply long felt want, furnishing
a splendid road for light driving.
YANKEE.
The Magazines.